The sun dipped low over the Shin'ō Academy, casting long shadows across the training grounds. It was the day before the year-end exam, and the air hummed with the quiet tension of students polishing their skills. Akio had slipped away from the dorms after the afternoon drills, seeking solitude in a secluded corner of the yard where crumbling walls provided some cover from prying eyes. Ikkaku and Yumichika had gone off to review their own techniques—Ikkaku muttering about "smashing through whatever they throw," Yumichika insisting on "refining his elegance." Akio, however, had something more pressing on his mind.
Since that vivid dream six months ago, a subtle shift had stirred within him. His Asauchi felt... closer, like a faint whisper echoing in his core. And during his late-night training, he'd noticed it: a thread of dark reiryoku weaving into his spells, unbidden at first, but now something he could sense and control.
Six months of grueling practice had pushed him beyond basic Kido. He could now wield spells in the 30s—impressive for a second-year, better than most, but not at Yumichika's elegant precision or Ikkaku's raw power. His skill came from Rukongai grit, not genius, sharpened by that strange, dark edge.
"Let's test it," he murmured, raising his hand. "Hado #33: Sōkatsui."
Reiryoku flared in his palm, a blue flame sparking to life. He kept the dark reiryoku dormant, focusing on control. The blast roared, scorching a training dummy, leaving a charred crater. Solid, but expected for a high-level spell.
Now, he summoned the darkness, feeling it weave into his reiryoku like ink in a stream, a power he'd learned to control over months. "Hado #33: Sōkatsui."
The flames erupted, laced with black tendrils, fiercer and darker. The blast obliterated the dummy, carving a smoldering trench, edges crackling with shadowy residue. Akio exhaled, sweat beading. "It's stronger—way stronger. I can choose to use it or not. No risk for the exam."
He sat back, Asauchi pulsing faintly. The dream replayed in his mind: 'A portion of that power, you may wield. Hunt carefully, Challenger.' "That figure was my zanpakuto's soul," he thought. "This dark reiryoku—it's the fragment. A shadow-type zanpakuto, maybe? No other zanpakuto tints its wielder's reiryoku black. Mine's… unique. Dangerous. I'll keep it hidden, especially from Aizen."
Tomorrow's exam would test Ha, Mune, and Kido. He'd perform well—better than most, close to Ikkaku and Yumichika—relying on effort, not the dark reiryoku. That was his secret, to be guarded until he understood its truth.
Night before the exam...
The Shin'ō Academy dorms were quiet, save for the faint hum of lantern light and the creak of wooden walls under the night breeze. Shadows danced jaggedly across the room where Akio sat cross-legged on his mat, wiping down his Asauchi. The blade pulsed faintly, and for a moment, a flicker of black reiryoku sparked along its edge. Akio's breath caught; he glanced at his roommates and smothered the spark, keeping his secret locked tight.
Across the room, Ikkaku sprawled on his back, tossing a wooden practice dagger, catching it with a feral grin. Yumichika leaned against the wall, polishing his Asauchi with precise, theatrical strokes, his reflection gleaming in the blade.
"Tomorrow's gonna be a bloodbath," Ikkaku said, his grin widening as the dagger spun. "I'm cleavin' those dummies in half. No fancy Kido nonsense—just pure Zanjutsu. Maybe I'll catch a captain's eye, get a shot at a real fight."
Yumichika snorted, not looking up. "Power? You graceless brute, you'll swing like a barbarian and scare the instructors. Elegance wins exams—my Sōkatsui will dazzle them. A seated officer's seat demands beauty, not just brawn."
Akio smirked, eyes on his blade, thinking, 'Tomorrow, I'll show them just enough to be remembered—no more, no less.' "Dazzle or smash, doesn't matter if you miss. I'm aiming for balance—enough to pass, not enough to stand out."
Ikkaku sat up, pointing the dagger at Akio. "Tch, sneaky Rukongai runt. Think you can outdo me with that cautious crap? I'm betting you choke on your fancy Hado."
"Choke?" Akio raised an eyebrow, his Rukongai drawl slipping through. "I survived the streets. A dummy ain't scarier than a knife in an alley."
Yumichika laughed, flipping his hair. "Oh, Akio, that grit's almost charming. But grace outshines survival. Watch me tomorrow—I'll make those spells sing." His eyes flicked to Ikkaku, a hint of steel beneath the vanity. "And don't call me unrefined, you oaf. Beauty is strength."
Ikkaku roared with laughter, tossing the dagger at Akio, who caught it without flinching. "That's the spirit! Tomorrow, we show 'em what we're made of. No holding back, Akio—or I'm draggin' you to spar at midnight."
Akio tossed the dagger back, his grin sharp. "Midnight spar? Only if Yumichika stops preening long enough to swing."
Yumichika gasped, mock-offended. "Preening? This is refinement, you slum savage. Stick with us, and you might learn a thing or two."
As the lantern flickered, their laughter echoed, a bond forged in rivalry and trust. Akio leaned back, his Asauchi still warm in his hand, its secret pulse a reminder of the power he'd keep hidden—for now.
The next morning, the training grounds buzzed with tension. Second-year students stood in rows, gripping their Asauchi. Tanaka, the Zanjutsu instructor, and Miko, the Kido instructor, faced them, their expressions stern. Akio stood at the back with Ikkaku and Yumichika, who traded their usual banter.
Ikkaku cracked his knuckles, grinning fiercely. "Finally, time to show 'em what we've got. I'll crush this."
Yumichika flipped his hair, adjusting his robes. "Crush? Please. Elegance will prevail."
Tanaka's voice boomed. "Today, you'll demonstrate Ha and Mune in Zanjutsu, and ten spells each from Hado and Bakudo, plus basic Kaido. We have a special observer."
Murmurs rose. Tanaka gestured to a figure lounging under a cherry blossom tree, pink kimono fluttering, sake gourd in hand. "Captain Shunsui Kyōraku, 8th Division."
The students bowed deeply, awe and nerves mixing in their faces. Shunsui waved lazily, his straw hat tilted low over his eyes, a playful smile on his lips. 'Ah, what a drag,' he thought, taking a sip from his gourd. 'Old Man Yamamoto should've been here himself—watching the new sprouts grow is his thing, after all. But no, he's off dealing with "important matters" in the Seireitei. Probably napping in his office, that sly fox. Well, I suppose I can play the part. These kids look eager enough. Let's see if they've got that spark.'
Shunsui straightened slightly, his voice carrying with that easygoing drawl. "Don't mind me, little ones. Just here to enjoy the show. Show me what you've learned—make it fun."
On the other hand Akio, 'Well well. Look who we have here. Shunshui himself. Can't miss this opportunity, can I? This is gonna be interesting.'
The Zanjutsu exam began. Students stepped up, striking animated dummies. Shunsui watched, eyes half-lidded but sharp. 'Sloppy footwork on that one… too much reiatsu there… decent Ha, but no heart'. Yumichika, third-to-last, moved like a dancer. His Ha sliced with elegant precision, the dummy parting cleanly. His Mune propelled the blade fluidly, splitting the target without waste. Shunsui raised an eyebrow. 'Graceful. Kid's got style.'
Ikkaku, second-to-last, was a storm. His Ha flared, gouging deep, nearly shattering the dummy. His Mune drove the swing with brutal force, splintering it. Shunsui chuckled. 'Raw power, no finesse. Like a young Kenpachi.'
Finally, Akio's turn. He stepped forward, Asauchi in hand, heart steady. He'd analyzed them all: match Ikkaku's power in Ha and Mune but with a touch more control, not quite Yumichika's elegance. "Ha," he intoned, reiatsu flowing along the edge—strong, sharp, cutting deep but controlled, just shy of Ikkaku's raw depth. The dummy split neatly.
"Mune." The spine surged, the swing fast and forceful, splintering the target like Ikkaku's but with less wasted reiatsu. Tanaka grunted in approval, Miko's eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
Shunsui leaned forward slightly. 'Controlled, deliberate. Not flashy, but solid. This one's got a quiet spark. This one I can feel it he is different but in a way that I can't point out.'
The Kido exam followed, testing Hado, Bakudo, and Kaido. Shunsui's gaze tracked each student. 'Fizzling chants… overpowered blasts… shaky shields.' Yumichika shone again, his Hado searing with precision, forming a flawless shield, Kaido healing smoothly, like art. Shunsui nodded. 'Elegant, almost too perfect.'
Ikkaku's Sōkatsui exploded, slightly wild, scorching the target but singeing the ground. His Sekienton clouded well but wavered. His Kaido healed slowly but worked. Shunsui smirked. 'All muscle, no polish.'
Akio went last, channeling his effort. He aimed to match Yumichika's precision but fall just short, surpassing Ikkaku's stability. For Hado his flame roared, controlled but less elegant, hitting cleanly. For Bakudo his shield held firm, steady but less refined. His Kaido healed smoothly, efficient but not artistic. He kept the dark reiryoku dormant, a faint stir suppressed. Shunsui's eyes narrowed. 'Balanced, calculated. 'Not genius, but… something's there about him. Quite good, kid.'
Tanaka announced the results. "Ikkaku excels in Zanjutsu power, Yumichika in Kido elegance. But for overall balance—Zanjutsu control, Kido stability, adaptability—Kurozume Akio is first."
Cheers erupted, mixed with surprised whispers. Ikkaku's eyes widened, then narrowed in competitive fire. "Tch! You sneaky runt... training at night paid off, huh? Fine—I'll join you from tonight. Next time, I'm crushing you!"
Yumichika sighed dramatically, brushing his hair back. "Well, well. You've finally learned a touch of elegance, Akio. But don't get complacent—I'll refine my skills further. We can't have you outshining us forever."
Akio hid a smile, his calculated edge paying off—first place, by a small margin, no suspicion raised.
Tanaka nodded to Shunsui. "Captain, a few words?"
Shunsui ambled forward, sake gourd swinging, grin lazy but eyes warm. "Life's like a spring breeze, kids—gentle one moment, fierce the next. You've poured your souls into this, blades flashing, spells sparking. Strength's not just in the cut or chant; it's in the heart that swings the sword. Like petals on the wind, you bloom, you fall, you rise. Keep chasing that spark, and the Soul Society'll be richer for it. Now, who's up for sake? Kidding—Nanao'd have my head." He winked, drawing laughs.
As the crowd chuckled, Akio stepped forward, eyes wide with practiced Rukongai innocence, voice carrying a bold edge. "Captain Kyōraku, I topped the exam. That's worth a reward, right?"
Shunsui froze mid-sip, his hat tilting back, eyes widening with a mix of surprise and intrigue. The crowd hushed, sensing the shift. 'Kid you are going out of the script here.'